Gripping the rough bark of the tree atop the hill, I gazed down at the peaceful town of Marrossi, bathed in the tranquil embrace of the night. Ah, the serenity of silence. It is a pity, however, that this calmness will not endure much longer, for what lies ahead is destined to disrupt their peace.

“My lady, is it time?” the sapphire Izavene asked.

“The next time we meet, you’ll no longer address me with that title. It will be, ‘Your Imperial Majesty’ soon,” I clarified.

“Is everyone in their respective positions? We’ll minimize the chances of serious casualties. Focus on the invisible shield, thus, prioritize hitting the sky instead of land. Our goal is to break the shield to threaten them. Once the shield is destroyed, it will rain Rosrinas for a day or two, so people won’t dare to step out and get wounded by glass-like rain.”

Marrossi still follows the strict curfew – nobody can wander around when the clock strikes 10 in the evening, and only imperial guards can be on the roads to keep watch. Everyone can only go out as they wish when it’s five in the morning.

Whoever gets caught, as the empress ordered, will be executed in public the next day.

As harsh as it sounds, I think it makes sense. That law minimized the crimes, making Marrossi one of the safest places in the continent next to Herzoyona Eskal. When I become empress, I’ll keep it that way. Most of the empress’ laws are reasonable, except that her punishments are exaggerated.

It gives people the feeling that they’ll get choked with one wrong move. But ironically, back when I was a princess, watching public executions was one of my guilty pleasures. It was oddly entertaining, though it’s supposed to be terrifying.

Raising my hand to shoulder level, I directed my gaze towards the city. With a purposeful gesture, I pointed towards it.

In response, the sapphire Izavene emitted a radiant green light that streaked across the sky. Rather than striking the ground, the explosion occurred high above, indicating that the protective shield surrounding the city had been successfully targeted.

In response to the signal, other sapphire Izavenes positioned outside the capital sprang into action, initiating their task of causing meteors to descend.

As the deafening sound of shattering echoed in our ears, I halted time momentarily before embarking on a solo mission to enter the palace.

Utilizing my fire abilities, I ignited and swiftly incinerated the shattered fragments of Rosrina in mid-air, clearing the path ahead to prevent any harm from befalling me.

Well, this is too easy.

Due to the stopped time, I couldn't open the gates of the outer palace with my hands alone even though I have excessive physical strength. It will be dangerous to resume time without plans because the shattered glass from the sky will harm me.

I resumed the time, and fragments of Rosrina grazed my skin, causing minor cuts. However, before sustaining further injury, I swiftly teleported myself inside the palace, seamlessly bypassing the outer guards and effortlessly crossing the bridges that spanned the surrounding moats, all without encountering any hindrances along the way.

My actions were easily noticed by the guards, making some of them yell that there was an intruder that needs to be captured. Though I'm in the southern palace, I can no longer remember the empress' room.

I stopped myself from running and faced the guards. Even if I can take them all in one attack, these people will kneel on me soon and I have to show them that I won’t cause harm. It will make me like a rebellious princess aiming for the throne.

I have to twist things.

They kept their distance as I raised my hands in surrender, but one of the guards was smart enough to pick up.

“Stop! You shouldn’t attack her, she’s Her Highness, Her Majesty's daughter," the guard knelt to acknowledge me, and everyone else followed, but they were staring at each other.

It's not surprising that in their minds, they're wondering what's happening. Hearing those thoughts at once was like a loud noise in my ears.

“You’re not wrong. I snuck in secretly because I was afraid that the gates won’t open for me. I’ve heard of Her Majesty’s deteriorating health condition and I was worried. If you won’t mind, can anyone escort me to her chambers?”

Come to think of it, I didn’t send a spy to check on the empress’ health condition. Realistically speaking, she’s not that old for her health to deteriorate.

"I would be honored to escort you, Your Highness. You've heard right, the empress' health condition is indeed deteriorating. I apologize on behalf of the other guards."

It’s hard to pretend that I’m running out of patience due to the nonsense small talk, but I need to keep a façade to avoid raising suspicions.

The guard who recognized me told me the directions and led me to her chambers.

“Your Imperial Majesty, there’s someone who wishes to visit you," the guard announced, but someone else opened the door, and judging by how the person looked, he seemed to be a physician.

“Her Majesty is eating her breakfast, so it would be better to accept guests later,” he said, and his eyes found mine. “Forgive me for not knowing but may I know who you are?”

“Perhaps you’re the new physician here. I'm Her Majesty's daughter, Eviona Charlioni Ruivenfiere. I was away for some time so I wanted to check on her. I've heard she had health issues, and I would appreciate it if those will be discussed with me later."

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The physician lost his composure and bowed his head in a hurry. "Forgive my ignorance, Your Highness. It's my first time meeting you in person. You may enter Her Majesty's chambers."

They gave way for me to enter, and the physician entered after me. The empress noticed my presence long before I let the physician announce my visit, and she dropped the glass of water she was drinking, her face turned pale as if her blood was drained upon seeing me. Her thoughts I'm hearing all said one thing – how can she be here?

Your dumb and naïve guards, of course. They basically helped an enemy without a sweat.

“Greetings, Your Imperial Majesty. May all the glory of the Ruivenfiere Empire be with you,” I said, as I curtsied. Practicing the etiquette I was taught as a child once again is one of the things I miss as a part of the imperial family.

“It’s been years since we met, mother. I believe we have a lot to discuss. I’m here because I’m worried about you,” I smiled in amusement under my breath, and she sure knows what I’m implying.

“Leave us alone,” she ordered, and the servants including the physicians followed without question. They truly are dumb for buying everything I'm saying because none of them had doubts that I'm making a show, and neither did any of them who refused to offer her to be guarded.

As the door closed behind me, she leveled a piercing glare in my direction. "How dare you come back here, you monster? You haven't changed," she spat out, her words punctuated by a cough.

Witnessing her weakened state was peculiar, as I was accustomed to seeing her exert more than just verbal efforts to inflict pain upon me.

None of them will work anyway.

“Don’t you think I’m being a good daughter, visiting you here now that you’re in a bad state? My timing is too perfect," I mocked, and I swiped the curtains from her window, and I pushed it open to show her the falling Rosrina I'd caused after breaking the barriers.

“As you can see, it’s the middle of the month, but Rosrinas are falling. Do you have any idea how this happened?” I extended my hand outside to get a piece of Rosrina on my hand. “Each shard of this was a life sacrificed. If it weren’t for you, the line of Alexandrite Izavenes would still exist. I did hear from Hervouet that there’s one who survived, and you’re rather fond of her.”

She kept her mouth shut, and I tapped my chin with my finger as I spoke. "What is she like? Is she like me? A cunning woman as smart as you, and you believe she's the fitting empress, while your favorite son reigning as the emperor?"

There's no need for me to ask because I can hear all her thoughts about her worrying about Thyra and how I found out about her. I don't think the empress would be fond of her if she isn't someone similar to her.

That means the three of us – Thyra, the empress, and I have similarities, and perhaps like-minded at some point.

"I think I know what's happening here. You used Hervouet and planned war with him, but you attacked on your own by destroying the barriers since it deteriorated enough." Her voice was low and exhausted, and I'm getting curious about what happened to her.

I flashed a grin for an answer. "Of course, you pick up easily because you know me too well. Hervouet was a fool for thinking that we were going to war together. I hate wars because it’s troublesome, so it's easier to do things by myself." I let out a sigh and looked around.

“It looks like my brothers aren’t around today. How fortunate. Anyways, what happened to you?”

“Azriel married an imposter, and that woman put liquid mercury in my bath. It’s odorless, so I didn’t know I’m inhaling its vapors.” … and I can no longer fully recover from it, she thought but didn't say it aloud.

“In that case, you should be passing the crown to the most deserving heir of yours. You only have one, and we all know that's me. I'm the strongest among my brothers, and that has always been the basis when looking for an heir, isn't it? Moreover, I'm the firstborn. So, there's no such thing as a crown prince you'll bother talking about. Imagine how great the empire will be under my rule, who can hear everyone's thoughts. Betrayals will be impossible, and in times of trouble, I can save this place myself because I'm capable."

With a sense of pride, I proclaimed my thoughts aloud, hoping for acknowledgement. However, she deliberately avoided making eye contact, frustrating me immensely. It irked me when she chose to turn a blind eye, feigning ignorance of my presence and disregarding the weight of my words.

“All you have to do is to give me your blessing as the new empress. I promise that in return, I wouldn’t harm Azriel in any way, including his lover which you’re fond of.”

She still remained quiet, but I can no longer hear her inner monologue as if her mind is all blank.

“I’ve always wanted to sit on the throne, and I’m here to take back what’s mine. I’m not stealing anything, because I was mine from the beginning. Don’t you think that’s fair? If anyone’s stealing anything, it’s Azriel, not me. If you’re not seeing the weight of the situation, my sapphire Izavenes have broken the barriers already, and at this point, some areas of Marrossi outside the capital are already burning. Dust and smoke are everywhere, plazas are already hit by craters caused by the meteorites. If you care for your people, you will now take action. Azriel and Hervouet aren’t here, and you’re not strong enough to deal with the situation. I’m the only one you have.”

The empress squeezed her eyes shut, and her clenched fist on her blanket are shaking.

‘I no longer have other options. At this rate, she will continuously destroy Marrossi, the heart of the Ruivenfiere Empire. How can she be here at the time when Azriel isn't here? I should've crowned him as emperor sooner.’ So, this is what it's like to take pleasure in someone's sadness.

“Call a female servant, I’m going to order her to assist you. Now get out of my chambers.” The empress said, and I decided to leave her as she ordered.

──•~❉᯽❉~•──

I’ve waited outside her room for about three hours now, and the servant she asked for called me, leading me to the room next to the empress’ chambers.

“Your Highness, Her Majesty told me to assist you to get dressed up,” other maids entered the room, and they assisted me to wear the empress’ dress that she wore once in an event I can’t recall. They did my hair and makeup after I wore the dress, and I looked at myself in front of the mirror after putting on the earrings, ring, and necklace that matches the attire.

It was until then that I realized that she made me wear the majestic golden armor gown – a gown passed to generations whenever a queen or an empress will have their coronation.

Floor-length gowns are common, but what made this one different is its epaulet and chain details. It was hand sewn with golden rose and turquoise embroidery, and upon doing the final touches, they attached the flowing cape to my shoulders. My attire made me feel that I’m a warrior and an empress at the same time.

The maids led me to the throne room where the empress was waiting. She was also dressed up, except that she was wearing a simple, black lace gown – one of the gowns that she wears on the day of mourning.

Way to say the obvious. Her choice of the dress felt like a slap on the face, but at least she'll give me what I want.

The only ones in the throne room are the palace's residents such as guards, knights, and servants, for there wasn't enough time to invite other nobles. I was expecting her to release a royal decree announcing that she was giving me her right to become the empress, but a ceremony with servants alone was another slap on the other side of my face.

She read the scroll of the decree that she signed and read it aloud,

“I, Heloise Adira Ruivenfiere, the current empress of the Ruivenfiere Empire, pronounce the imperial decree that my daughter, Eviona Charlioni Ruivenfiere as my heir, and I’m giving her the authority as the new empress of the empire from this day on,” she lifted the crown from the pillow where it was rested and placed it on my head. Upon placing it on my head, the dowager empress whispered in my ear, saying, “You’re going to pay for this one day, monster.”